Jared Greene Receives the 2011 Antonio Johnshon Scholarship Award

| May 13, 2011

Jared F. Greene, scholarship recipient, and Dr. Janice Walker, dean of the college of arts and science

The Xavier University Scholarship Committee, the Office of Multicultural Affairs, and the Black Student Association, awarded the 35th Antonio Johnson Scholarship Award to JaredGreene of Dayton OH (45405). The scholarship covers full tuition, fees, room and board, and books for his senior year. He has displayed academic excellence, impactful leadership, generous community service and engagement, and a commitment to the Black Student Association.He has been described as one of the most courteous, collaborative, and sincere student leaders at Xavier University. He is a role model with a passion for learning and aptitude to achieve. Greene is a member of Xavier’s club tennis team, a manager for Xavier’s men’s basketball, a member of the Advanced Leader Institute, a member of Gentlemen Organized for Achievement and Leadership (GOAL), chair of the Black Student Association Leadership Committee member of its Cultural Committee, Communications chair and site leader for Alternative Breaks, resident assistant in Husman Hall, a Weninger Scholar, and president of the Sigma Gamma chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity, Inc.

Others awarded include:

Macy’s Multicultural Award: Akosua Effa Addo of Cincinnati (45246) believes true success is identifying her God-given talent, working hard at it, excelling in it and impacting the lives of others through it. At age 16 she started a community non-profit in her homeland of Ghana, West Africa to developing leadership skills in young people through education, training and community service. As a junior majoring in economics at Xavier University she is a resident assistant, president and founder of Xavier Women in Business, volunteer program coordinator with Ghana Unite, and serves with the Madisonville Education and Assistance Center, as vice president of Students Committed to Christ, an advisory board member with TRiO/Student Support Services, and is on Leadership Cabinet of the Office of Interfaith Community Engagement.

Outstanding Freshman of the Year: Lauren White of Lexington (40508) is Outstanding Freshman of the Year. He embodies the spirit of servant leadership with her undying work ethic.White is an ecumenical peer minister in the Center for Faith and Justice and a co-chair for the Black Student Association’s cultural committee.He maintains a 3.2 GPA and believes in pursuing goals others find insurmountable.He enjoys encouraging his fellow humans to excel past their current situation to become stronger, wiser and positive individuals.

Outstanding Sophomore of the year: Ashley Dobbs of Cincinnati (45239) is Outstanding Sophomore of the Year. She is focused on achievement, centered in spirituality, and engaged in our community. Her involvement includes membership in Ladies with Emphasis on Distinction and Achievement, Black Student Association and gospel choir. She works two jobs, while taking eighteen credit hours and tutoring secondary and post secondary students in math throughout the city.

Outstanding Senior of the year: Alexis Ponder of Dayton (45417) is Outstanding Senior of the Year due to her commitment, resilience and dedication to the community.Ponder has held major leadership positions in the Black Student Association, Ladies with Emphasis on Achievement and Distinction, Students Committed to Christ, the X-Action Service Committee, Showers of Anointing, and gospel choir.She has made permanent contributions to the Xavier community and continues to put her best foot forward in all that she does. She also won the Outstanding First-Year and Second-Year Awards, and was awarded the Macy’s Multicultural Award.

Outstanding Service award: Dore’e Conley of Triadelphia, WV (26059) received the Outstanding Service Award.He has excelled academically while being committed to serving humanity.As a first year International Studies major, with minors in French and Africana Studies, he has been active in the Black Student Association, the African Student Association, Gentlemen Organized for Achievement and Leadership (GOAL), International Students Services, Stand XU, and the Economics Justice Club. He also volunteers at the Avondale Boys and Girls Club for two hours a week.

Faculty/Staff Support Award: Jerome Johnsonreceived the Faculty/Staff Support Award. He has been the director of Xavier University’s Gospel Choir for eight years and is the dean of students at the East End Community Heritage School. He was awarded Best Male Vocalist in 2010 at the I Hear Music in the Air Conference, and is the head of numerous singing groups in Cincinnati. He initiated and was the driving force behind the first collegiate recording featuring Xavier University, Northern Kentucky University, Miami University, and the University of Cincinnati.

Leadership Award: Jacqueline E. Taylor of Philadelphia (19146) received the Leadership Award. She serves on the Student Activities Council of Student Government, is Legislative Vice President for the Black Student Association, is a mentor for Smooth Transitions and a member of Ladies with Emphasis on Achievement and Distinction.She led three events per semester for the Student Activities Council. She involves her mentees in organizations that will develop their character.

Benjamin J. Allen Alumni award: The Benjamin J. Allen Alumni Award was given to Cincinnati native Anthony Davis. Davis has encouraged and empowered youth through the Postponing Sexual Involvement program.As a facilitator, he and his colleagues went into the Cincinnati Public Schools and taught youth about having confidence in their choices and decisions.He encouraged their dreams so they could see the possibilities.

The AJ Scholarship is dedicated to the memory of Antonio Johnson, who began his academic career at Xavier in June 1971. While majoring in Urban Studies, he participated in the school band and was an active member of the Roman Catholic Church. He served as president of the Black Student Association, single-handedly organizing activities for Black Awareness Month in February 1976. Unfortunately, he died at age 22 on February 8 of that year. He is remembered as a caring, compassionate, confident, and articulate individual dedicated to social change and justice. The Antonio Johnson Scholarship Award is presented each year to a junior of African descent with demonstrated academic excellence (3.0 minimum cumulative GPA), outstanding leadership, involvement, service, and a history of significant contributions to the Black Student Association and/or the Xavier University community.

Xavier University’s Office of Multicultural Affairs, a department in the Division of Student Life and Leadership, exists to help the University realize its diversity goals. Multicultural Affairs provides services and programs to enrich the academic, cultural and social experiences of Xavier students.